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Top five tips to motivate you to exercise

It's day 28 of Yahoo's What's Up? mental health challenge and it's time to lace up your joggers for a 30-minute walk.

Exercise has long been championed as a way to benefit your mental wellbeing, with Beyond Blue saying regular physical activity helps prevent or manage mild anxiety and depression.

Exercise can help lift your mood with the release of natural chemicals in the brain, increase energy levels and improve your sleep.

It can also help block negative thoughts, act as a distraction, and make people feel less alone if they have an exercise buddy.

Arranging to meet a friend could help motivate you to exercise. Source: Getty
Arranging to meet a friend could help motivate you to exercise. Source: Getty

Beyond Blue recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity most of the days of the week.

Ben Lucas, director of fitness studio Flow Athletic, told Yahoo Australia exercise got people away from their desks, technology and everyday stresses.

He said going for a walk also gave you the time and space to think and breathe.

For anybody needing a bit of motivation to get through this challenge, Lucas has offered his five top tips.

Ben's five tips for exercise motivation

1. Train with a friend or family member

Lucas said people are more likely to exercise if they plan to do so with a friend or family member.

"It's that kind of external accountability that will make you more likely to take part in these sessions," he said.

2. Set yourself a goal

Lucas suggests people should set themselves an objective or goal in a realistic time frame to keep people focused on why they are exercising in the first place.

He said it could be a weight loss goal or a dress or pant size goal you want to achieve for an upcoming event.

3. Join a group

Whether it's a boot camp or a running club, Lucas says joining a group will keep you accountable and ensure you show up for your workout.

Yahoo Australia's 30-day mental health challenge. Source: Yahoo News Australia
Yahoo Australia's 30-day mental health challenge. Source: Yahoo News Australia

4. Walk a dog

Dogs need to be walked so if possible, borrow a pet from a friend if you don't have one to give your exercise more purpose.

5. Commit to an event

Lucas says people can stay motivated to exercise by committing to an upcoming event they are required to train for.

He said setting your sights on an event like City to Surf or the Sydney Running Festival could help you keep up a daily exercise routine.

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